Agree on terms
Either side starts the transaction: what is being sold, the price, the currency and how many days the buyer gets to inspect. Enter the other party’s email; if they are new, they get an invitation. Choose who pays the escrow fee.
How escrow works
Every step below is enforced by the platform, so nobody has to rely on trust alone.
Buyer pays into escrow
The buyer clicks “Pay now” and approves the payment on PayPal. The money lands in the platform’s account and is recorded against the transaction. The seller is notified straight away that the funds are secured.
Seller ships or delivers
With the money safe, the seller ships the item or starts the work and adds carrier and tracking details. For digital goods and services they can simply record delivery.
Buyer inspection period
The inspection window starts when delivery is recorded (3 days by default, up to 30). The buyer checks everything against the agreement. The seller can send a reminder to accept.
Funds released, or disputed
If the buyer accepts, or the window ends quietly, the seller is paid via PayPal. If something is wrong, either side opens a dispute: the transaction freezes and our team decides based on the messages, files and audit trail.
See it in action
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Escrow vs. the alternatives
| ESCROW.org | Direct payment | Credit card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money held until you are satisfied | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Seller knows the funds exist before shipping | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Buyer can inspect before paying out | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Neutral dispute resolution | ✔ | ✘ | Limited |
| Works between strangers internationally | ✔ | Risky | ✔ |
| Full audit trail of the deal | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Common questions
What is escrow?
Escrow means a neutral third party holds the buyer’s money until both sides confirm the deal was honoured. The seller ships knowing the funds exist; the buyer pays knowing the money is not released until they have inspected what they bought.
How does a transaction work?
One party creates the transaction and invites the other. The buyer pays into escrow, the seller delivers, and the buyer inspects during a set period. If they accept, or the period ends without a dispute, the money is released to the seller.
Who can use it?
Anyone with an account and a PayPal account for payouts. Identity verification (KYC) is optional but raises your per-transaction limit and speeds up payouts.
How do I pay?
Buyers pay through PayPal Checkout. You approve the payment on PayPal’s own pages, so your card or bank details never touch our servers.
How does the seller get paid?
When the buyer accepts (or the inspection period ends), funds are sent to the seller’s PayPal email through PayPal Payouts. Sellers must add their PayPal email in their profile.
Which currencies are supported?
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD and CAD. The buyer is charged in the transaction’s currency.
How much does it cost?
The escrow fee is a percentage that falls as the amount rises, with a minimum fee. See the pricing page for the live tiers and a calculator.
Who pays the fee?
You choose when creating the transaction: the buyer, the seller, or split 50/50. Brokers can settle the fee separately.